Category: Lead

Pro-separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) Lead Counsel Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor has said Nnamdi Kanu needs urgent advanced medical treatment and surgical operation to address his deteriorating health condition, especially on his left ear.

Ejiofor, who visited Kanu on Monday at the headquarters of the Department of State Services(DSS) where he is still being held in solitary confinement, said the IPOB leader needs urgent medical attention to address his deteriorating health condition.

Read Also: IPOB suspends Nnamdi Kanu’s brother Kingsley

He expressed concerns over the lack of adequate medical facilities at DSS headquarters to treat Kanu’s ailments, particularly the severe pains in his left ear drum that has become greatly impaired following severe torture and beating he received in Kenya before being renditioned back to Nigeria in June, 2021Ejiofor said: “Kanu also recounted that a previous scan at the instance of the SSS revealed that he must undergo an advanced surgical procedure to repair his left ear drum that has become greatly impaired by the severe torture and beating he received from agents of the Federal Government when he was forcibly kidnapped in Kenya and savagely renditioned back to Nigeria in June, 2021.
“He narrated how the DSS doctor had emphatically told him that if after 45 days from November 18, 2022 when he was examined, his case had not improved, then he must undergo immediate surgery to save whatever remains of his left ear.”

Ejiofor disclosed that Kanu had lamented that several reminders and pleas to the DSS to carriy out their medical doctor’s instructions have met a brick wall.

“Being held in solitary confinement, the DSS has also bluntly refused him access to his private doctor for independent medical assessment as ordered by the court,” he alleged. 
Ejiofor said the suit earlier filed to compel the DSS to allow Kanu access to his medical doctors and medical records would come up this week at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

•PoS operators, hawkers sell naira notes in cities
•Emefiele’s action political, says Reps leader

Naira is now on sale, no thanks to the scarcity of both old and new notes in bank halls and their Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) terminals.

In many cities, Point of Sale (PoS) operators, bureau de change agents and emergency currency hawkers sold old and new notes to desperate Nigerians in need of cash yesterday.

Many ATM terminals in Lagos and Abuja, for instance, were empty. The few that dispensed old and new notes had crowds waiting to make withdrawals. 

At a terminal along Fatai Atere Way in Matori, Mushin, the struggle to secure positions in queues resulted in fisticuffs. 

The situation at the banking halls was nearly the same.

In Lagos, Bureau De Operators cashed in on the scarcity by selling the new notes.

An operator offered to sell N50,000 worth of new notes for N65,000 to a resident.

At one of the PoS points in Lagos, a resident was charged N1,000 for N10,000 worth of old notes.

In Abuja, a PoS operator collected an extra N600 charge from a resident for the N2,000 because he asked for new notes.

In Bauchi State, gunmen invaded a PoS centre in Zaki Local Government Area, snatching new notes at gunpoint. An unidentified PoS operator and two others sustained injuries.

Bank customers expressed frustrations over the scarcity of the redesigned notes across all payment channels and over-the-counter transactions.

Those who thought the 10-day extension for the use of the old notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will bring relief to customers were disappointed.

At Ilupeju, Lagos Mainland, there were long queues in many banks’ ATM points and banking halls, with customers rushing to deposit old notes to collect new ones. 

At Town Planning, Ilupeju branches of GTBank, Access Bank and Keystone Bank, many customers who were unable to make withdrawals from the ATMs quickly rushed into the banking hall for over-the-counter transactions. They were also disappointed.

They were paid with N100 and N50 notes, irrespective of the amount they wanted to withdraw, and were further advised to do transfers.

By 11 am, the only functional ATM point in the branch had stopped dispensing cash.

At the Ajose Adeogun branch of GT Bank and Zenith Bank, only one ATM was working in each of the branches as of 4 pm.

Many customers were seen patiently waiting for their turns in the long queues at both banks’ ATMs.

A customer, Maureen Amosun, said she spent one and a half hours making N10,000 withdrawals from the GTBank ATM. 

Banks receive less cash

An industry source said banks send N1 million new notes to each of their branches daily for the ATMs. 

The funds are usually loaded in one ATM point, from where they are dispensed to cardholders.

Some bank branches with less customer traffic get N1 million in new note supplies every other day.  

“Our branch receives N1 million daily from the headquarters. Once the money is received, it is loaded into one ATM and dispensed to customers. Once the fund is exhausted, customers will have to wait till the next day,” the source said.

Before now, banks loaded their ATMs with cash regularly, based on transaction volume and traffic at their branches.

“What we expected was for the CBN to supply enough new notes to the banks, which will be subsequently sent to the branches. 

“But what we are seeing now baffles us. The notes are rationed, and cash transactions are highly restricted,” the source added. 

Chaos in banks

A visit to commercial banks in Ayobo, Egbeda/Akowonjo, and Matori in Lagos showed that most of the ATMs were not dispensing cash. 

The few that dispensed cash had long queues with customers waiting for hours to make a cash withdrawal.

Esther Okon, a customer of Zenith Bank, said only one ATM point was dispensing cash.

“All you see around here are Point of Sale (Pos) operators. 

“Sometimes, they number up to 15 appealing to people to come and withdraw money. They too don’t have the new naira notes to give to customers,” she said.

A middle-aged woman, who simply identified herself as Mrs Ebunoluwa, while narrating her experience in a bank in Ogun State, simply described it as “harrowing”.

“I went to my bank today to deposit the old notes and also with the hope of getting new ones. To my surprise, the teller said there was no new notes except I would take old notes since it has been extended. I was livid and retorted by asking her what it meant and she quickly kept quiet,” she said.

Although she was able to deposit the old notes, she, however, left the banking hall after two hours of waiting without any hope of getting the same in sight.

Across several banks in Akute, Ogun State, the same scenario played out. Several customers queued waiting for new notes.

In one of the banks, a customer, Hakeem Muse, said he wanted to withdraw N20,000, but was paid N5,000.

“When I asked the teller why, he politely told me that it was a strategy to ensure that more customers got new notes because they don’t have enough money. I had to leave the place,” Muse said.

The queues at the ATMs around the area surpassed the ones in banking halls in Akute.

All the ATMs in the area had dried up since last week. 

As of yesterday afternoon, the few dispensing ATMs dried up just before 10 am, even as customers milled around the machines hoping that it will dispense.

At the Access Bank ATM gallery in Akute, the crowd was overwhelming as cash-strapped customers waited in vain to withdraw money.

“If this bank (Access) ATM is not dispensing, it means it has dried up and that means there is trouble with the new note availability because this bank’s facility serves us extremely well here,” a customer, Bola Akinwuni, said.

The situation is not different at the First Bank of Nigeria, Matori Branch. 

The banking hall was chaotic as customers struggled to get the new notes. 

Its ATM gallery as of 1 pm was not dispensing cash.

The PoS operators, despite increasing their service charges, still dispensed the old notes.

Also, most of the banks’ online payment platforms did not function optimally. 

Customers on banks like GTCO (GTB) and Access Bank platforms expressed frustration as they were unable to use the online payment platform.

At GT Bank, Matori, Mushin branch, many customers who wanted to withdraw cash were enraged as the bank declined to pay them in old or new notes.

The cashiers explained to the customers that although they were receiving the old notes, they had been instructed by the CBN not to pay them out.

A lady who wanted to withdraw N10,000 said she would not leave the bank until she was paid as she did not have any cash to eat or to pay for her transportation home.

She created a scene for the cashiers to gather an almost mutilated amount of N3,000 to pay her.

She was paid in denominations ranging from N20, N50 and N100, which she received excitedly because, at least, she had the money for transportation.

DSS fingers bank officials, arrests syndicate

The Department of State Services (DSS) said it intercepted some members of organised syndicates involved in the sale of the newly redesigned naira notes.

The spokesman of the agency, Dr Peter Afunanya, said in a statement that some bank officials were aiding the economic malfeasance. 

“Consequently, the Service warns the currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act. 

“Appropriate regulatory authorities are, in the same vein, urged to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to expeditiously address the emerging trends.

“It should be noted that the Service has ordered its commands and formations to further ensure that all persons and groups engaged in the illegal sale of the notes are identified. Therefore, anyone with useful information relating to this is encouraged to pass the same to the relevant authorities,” the statement said.

Traders welcome deadline

Traders in Enugu and the Federal Capital Territory, however, praised the CBN for extending the deadline for the exchange of old naira notes.

They said the decision had brought back life to their business activities as they have restarted accepting the old notes.

One of the traders in Enugu, Vivian Dele, said the scarcity of the new naira notes at ATM terminals had stagnated businesses.

“I sell foodstuff at Ogbete Market and I stopped collecting old money on January 28, which has affected my business as I accept only new money and transfers.

“Many of my customers complained of the queues at the bank’s ATMs and at times, transfers will not even go,” she said.

A bank manager, who pleaded anonymity, said the rush at the banks and its ATMs was a “Nigerian factor.”

“Our challenge is Nigerians who love the last-minute rush,” he said, adding that in the last two weeks, only a few customers deposited their old currency with the bank.

Some customers in the FCT said with the deadline extension, the new notes would circulate adequately.

• ‘Votes will definitely count’
•Cashless system can tackle illicit poll financing, says Osinbajo • EU to assess BIVAS, other technologies

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said the will of Nigerians will prevail during the February 25 and March 11 general election.

 He promised that all votes will definitely count in this year’s polls.

Speaking when a delegation of the International Federation of Electoral System (IFES) visited the commission’s headquarters yesterday in Abuja, Yakubu said INEC had put everything in place to conduct a free, fair and credible election.

The INEC chairman explained that part of the commission’s plan for a credible election is the decision to test-run the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) to get the machines ready for the polls.

He said whatever challenges that would be discovered during the test-run of the BIVAS machines would be addressed before the commencement of the elections on February 25.

 According to him, INEC has enough time to address such challenges.

Read Also: ‘Why INEC extended PVC collection for second time’

Yakubu said: “On Saturday, we announced an extension for the collection of permanent voter’s card (PVC) by registered voters. We believe that it is important for every Nigerian to be given an opportunity to collect his or her PVC ahead of the election. If an extension of time is what we need, so be it. The commission has granted the extension.

“I want to appeal to Nigerians to see the extension as an opportunity to collect their PVCs. On the part of the commission, we are giving our commitment that the election is going to be free, fair and credible, and the will of Nigerians will prevail.”

 The INEC chairman said the interaction with IFES was taking place when the commission was implementing the 12th item out of the 14 it listed ahead of this year’s polls.

 He invited civil society organisations (CSOs), political parties, and the media “to come and observe the deployment of these (BVAS) machines for the mock accreditation on Saturday”.

 IFES President Anthony Banbury hailed the commission for the progress it has made in ensuring the integrity of the electoral system in the country.

Also, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said a well operated cashless monetary policy can help Nigeria to address illicit election financing by tracking such funds.

Osinbajo said this when he hosted a delegation of the European Union Election Observation Mission, led by its Chief Observer and a member of the European Parliament, Mr. Barry Andrews, at the Presidential Villa yesterday in Abuja.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity in the Office of the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, said the Vice President told his guests that “what we should be looking at is to provide more infrastructure”.

 He added: “The cashless thing has been really advantageous and helps with tracking. That sort of infrastructure is useful for more financial inclusion, and the more financial inclusion you have, the easier it is to track.”

Osinbajo noted that “so much money can be spent without it being tracked” under the current election financing practices in the country.

 “With cash transactions, it is still difficult to seriously control election financing,” he said.

 Andrews said the Observer Mission would monitor the general election and hoped for a peaceful and fair electoral process.

Also, The European Union (EU) has promised to assess the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) and other technologies to be deployed for this year’s general election.

The EU also announced that about 100 observers would be deployed to monitor this year’s general election across the country.

 The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer Barry Andrews said these during the launch of the mission yesterday in Abuja.

He said: “For the first time in Nigeria, the mission has a dedicated Election Technology Analyst who is assessing the use of technologies, especially the verification of voters and the transmission of results. A Media Analyst and a Social Media Analyst are also undertaking an assessment of the role of the traditional media, as well as social media and digital communication during the process.

Commenting on the essence of BVAS, Andrews said: “It will be critical to the outcome of the election and trust in the integrity of the system. That’s why we have deployed an election technology analyst to our core team that has been here since January 11.

 “That’s why we will be overseeing or observing, certainly the mock exercises that will take place on Saturday. But we wouldn’t be in a position to make any conclusions until we get to the end of the process, which will be two days after the election itself.”

Despite having similar military backgrounds before they became democratically elected leaders, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Muhammadu Buhari are poles apart in their leadership styles. Their individual idiosyncrasies set them apart. ONYEDI OJIABOR, TONY AKOWE, JIDE ORINTUNSIN and SANNI ONOGU examine the differences in leadership styles of the two great leaders.

The intimidating credentials of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Muhammadu Buhari set them apart with regard to elections and general governance styles. While their military backgrounds may have helped them to shape their political and leadership styles, some people believe that President Buhari is more of a democrat than former President Obasanjo.

 Despite President Buhari’s military background, it is on record that he remains one of the few African leaders whose commitment to democracy is globally acknowledged. Thrice he contested, thrice he lost in the largely tainted elections; but the soldier in him never gave up until 2015 when luck shone on him to defeat then President Goodluck Jonathan. It is acknowledged that President Buhari’s tenacity and resolve in the democratic process helped to deepen democracy in the country.

 While many see Buhari as “a democrat through and through” others look at Obasanjo as a dictator who saw his words as law. The President generally believes in the free choice of his party; while Obasanjo is known to have imposed candidates on his party. For instance, in the presidential primary of the then ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party in 2007, Obasanjo was fingered as the power that compelled the stepping down of former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili, former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi, and former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, for former Katsina State Governor, Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua, who did not indicate interest in the 2007 presidential race.

 It is also on record that Obasanjo dubbed the 2007 elections “a do-or-die affair” for his party; while Buhari has continued to appeal to voters to vote for the candidates of their choice. In 2007, there was apprehension that the election would not be free and fair owing to the aggressive way Obasanjo campaigned for his party’s candidate.

 This time around, Nigerians are exuding confidence that the electoral process will be largely transparent, free and fair. Reports have it that “Obasanjo sought to alleviate poverty, reduce government corruption, and establish a democratic system.

“He also pledged to reform the military and the police but religious and ethnic strife became a central concern during his presidency, incidents of violence mounted and most Muslim-dominated states in the North and centre of the country adopted the Sharia law.

 “Obasanjo’s harsh response to ethnic strife in the South earned condemnation. Indeed, his overall authoritative style, the corruption that was still evident among government officials was evident. Voting irregularities and allegations of fraud were rife during his presidency.

 “In 2006, Obasanjo came under domestic and international criticism for attempting to amend the constitution to allow him to stand for a third term as president. The proposed amendment was roundly rejected by the Senate. With Obasanjo unable to run, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was selected and drafted to stand as the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the April 2007 presidential election. Yar’ Adua was declared the winner of the election, but international observers strongly condemned the election as being marred by voting irregularities and fraud.”

 Applauding the democratic credentials, resolve and confidence of Buhari in the electoral system, former Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, at the recently-concluded U.S-Africa Leaders’ Summit organised by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), noted that “President Buhari never gave up on democracy and he never gave up on the electoral process. He never abandoned the social and ethical convictions that have guided him throughout his life and that motivated him to run for his country’s highest office.”

 At the U.S Summit last December, President Buhari highlighted the modest achievements his administration has recorded in terms of deepening democratic values and ethos in the country. Between 2015 and now, it is on record that the electoral process and democratic governance have been enhanced with the improved electoral process at every election year, while perfections of any electoral shortcomings at general elections were effectively addressed at mid-term elections, through the introduction of mechanisms to ensure free, fair and credible elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This explains why our elections have continued to record impressive and steady progress.

 Buhari administration passed the Electoral Amendment Bill, which gives financial independence to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), provides a central electronic voters database, supports/assists voters with physical disabilities, special needs and vulnerable people at the polling unit, and legitimises e-voting/transmission of election results, as well as the introduction of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) by the electoral body to enhance electoral process integrity and enhance a democratic culture that guarantees good governance.

 Political watchers strongly believe that Buhari’s commitment to democratic governance in almost seven-and-a-half years of his administration has tremendously helped to further consolidate democratic governance in the African Continent. Under Buhari’s watch, Nigeria has continued to effectively deliver its continental leadership role. It is to Buhari’s credit that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a sub-regional power bloc, has continued to enforce the tenets of democratic principles in and among member states.

 Nigeria’s recent heroic role in ensuring that Guinea Bissau remains peaceful, stable and on the side of democratic governance is commendable. President Buhari’s intervention is predicated on the strong belief that the bedrock of the future of Nigeria, indeed the future of Africa, lies in democratic governance, not only because it is the expression of the will of the people, but also because democracy can help Africa build fair, just and inclusive societies.

 For Ayo Oyalowo, a political analyst, the comparison of the two leaders in terms of governance and electoral matters put President Buhari’s head and shoulders higher than Obasanjo’s. He said: “President Buhari is a better leader than former President Olusegun Obasanjo. We all witnessed how Buhari paid all the financial entitlements to states irrespective of the party in power. The payment of the 13 per cent derivation fund was made to benefiting states without any other consideration outside the law. We all witnessed how Buhari paid the bail-out fund to 27 states irrespective of the party in power in the states.

 “But one can recall how Obasanjo withheld Lagos State’s legitimate fund for years, simply because he disagreed with the then governor of the state, Bola Tinubu. Their leadership styles and approach to governance are different. While Buhari is a leader, Obasanjo is a tyrant.”

 Taking a trip down memory lane, Oyalowo recalled how Obasanjo, when he was angry, removed some elected governors. “We are alive to recall how he removed Fayose, Ngige and others. We are also alive to have the same Fayose under Buhari, he had his freedom, and even when he insulted President Buhari, he never touched or dealt with him in any way.

 “The removal of three Senate Presidents by Obasanjo is still fresh on our minds, just because they did not agree with him. He removed them at the expense of the dictates of separation of powers. But Bukola Saraki did not only fight Buhari, he changed party as Senate President and Buhari never removed him.

“I recall how Obasanjo destroyed two towns in Nigeria-Odi and Zaki Biam because he was angry. But at present when Buhari wanted to deal with some elements from the Southeast, their people rose and promised to handle their issue by themselves. He allowed them because he is a leader and not a tyrant.”

 On election matters, Oyalowo remembered the “garrison politics” days of Obasanjo. For the Owu-born former President, politics is do-or-die. He recalled how Obasanjo, in Ibadan and many places, enforced the “garrison politics” when he was in power.” Continuing, he said: “Buhari signed the Electoral Act that may not be beneficial to his party. Under Buhari, states All Progressives Congress (APC) lost in the court, he never used executive power to upturn or change the development. In 2003, Obasanjo forcibly removed five Southwest governors, because what took place in Southwest in 2003 was not an election but a political heist.

“Even when he left office, the man that succeeded him, President Yar’Adua said he was ashamed of the election that brought him to office. That was an indictment on Obasanjo’s electoral policy.”

However, some dark sides of President Buhari’s leadership style may not be ignored or overlooked. They formed some incidences of high-handedness, impunity, disregard for rule of law and illegalities that detract from democratic principles under President Buhari’s administration.

 Sack of CJN Onnoghen and invasion of judges’ residences at midnight

In early October 2016, the State Security Service (SSS), in an unprecedented move, raided the homes of some senior judges at midnight allegedly to gather evidence of corruption against them. The raids on multiple residences of the affected judges took place simultaneously on a weekend in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Gombe, Kano, Enugu and Sokoto states.

 The judges whose homes were raided in a Gestapo style by the SSS operatives included Adeniyi Ademola, and Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja as well as Sylvester Ngwuta and John Okoro of the Supreme Court. In Kano, the home of a High Court Judge, Kabiru Auta, was raided along with another residence in Enugu belonging to the Chief Judge of the state, A. I. Umezulike. The residences of a Gombe State judge, Muazu Pindiga, as well as that of his counterpart from Sokoto State, Justice Samia, were also raided during the operation. The move was widely condemned as anti-democratic, lack of respect for the rule of law and an affront against and intimidation of the judiciary by the agents of the executive under Buhari.

 Some of the judges were later suspended from the bench and prosecuted by the state. However, the court in most of the cases discharged and acquitted the accused judges. It ruled that the Federal Government under Buhari failed to establish a prima facie case to prosecute them. For instance, in April 2017, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Maitama struck out the 18-count corruption charge the Federal Government preferred against Justice Adeniyi Ademola, his wife, Olabowale and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The court held that the government failed to prove any of the allegations it levelled against the judge who, hitherto, served at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. Consequently, the trial Justice Jude Okeke, in a ruling that lasted over five hours, had terminated further hearings on the criminal case, even as he discharged and acquitted all the defendants.

 In a similar manner, President Buhari had, on January 25 2019, shortly before the general elections of that year, sacked a serving Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in what was generally seen as questionable circumstances. He replaced him with Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed (now retired) as CJN. Buhari said he removed Mr Onnoghen based on an order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated January 23, 2019. Many regard the removal of CJN Onnoghen as essentially politically tainted.

Purchase of 12 Tucano Jets

In April 2018, Buhari transmitted a letter of request to the Senate seeking its approval to withdraw the sum of $496 million from the Excess Crude Account for the purchase of 12 military aircraft (Tucano Jets). Buhari, in the letter, revealed that the money had been withdrawn and paid to the United States for the 12 Super Tucano aircraft, ahead of the request for legislative approval.

 The lawmakers, however, condemned the action, saying it violated Section 80 of the Constitution, which stipulates that any expenditure must first be approved by the National Assembly. In his reaction to the letter, Senator Matthew Urhoghide representing Edo South had said: “I heard very clearly when you read the letter that came from Mr President over the payment that was made for the Tucano aircraft. I was completely taken aback because I represent a people.

 “This letter that you just read to us, with due respect to the office and the status of Mr President, is a violation of some of the provisions of the Constitution. I stand against it with every vehemence and I want to read Section 80 (1), (2), (3) and (4) of the Constitution.

 “What you just read to us violates these provisions. Mr President couldn’t have ever, and no Nigerian citizen that is up and active under the provisions of the Constitution is allowed to make any disbursement or any approval coming from any quarter, whether it is by the Council of State of the Federation or the committee of the governors or anybody in the Presidency, without approval or appropriation from this Assembly. I think it important we remind ourselves, because if we sit down here, tomorrow, posterity will judge us.”

DSS’ siege on National Assembly and thugs’ invasion of Senate Chambers

On April 18 2018, the Senate plenary was disrupted after suspected thugs invaded the chamber and made away with the mace, the symbol of authority in the legislative chamber. About 10 suspected thugs reportedly forced their entrance into the chamber. Seconds later, the thugs ran out of the chamber with the mace causing pandemonium in the Senate. They left the National Assembly with the mace. The mace was, however, recovered days later. The Senate described the action as treasonable, saying it was aimed at overthrowing an arm of the government.

 In August 2018, operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) laid siege to the National Assembly to the shock and consternation of lawmakers, members of staff, Nigerians and the international community. This illegality, which was condemned by several quarters, led to the abrupt sack of the then Director-General of DSS, Lawal Daura, the same day by then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

 Despite these dark spots on President Buhari’s democratic credentials, there is no doubt that accolades are being poured on Buhari locally and on the global political space for all the electoral and administrative reforms that have helped to improve democratic governance and electoral integrity. Unlike the former President who publicly said the 2007 Presidential election will be a do-or-die affair, Executive Director, YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo said President Buhari has shown that he was ready to leave behind a history of credible elections in the country.

 He said: “I think the President is determined to bequeath to Nigerians a credible electoral process. He has expressed his intentions not to interfere with the process. He needs to maintain this same body language, but go beyond this rhetoric of insisting on bequeathing credible elections. He needs to first empower the security agencies and hold them to account. They must be non-partisan and professional in securing the election without preference for his party or any party and let the will of the Nigerian people prevail.”

 Itodo argued that even though not much has changed in the political landscape, the introduction of technology into the electoral process under the Buhari government is a plus for him. But he believes the government must move from the determination to leave a credible election to funding the security agencies and ensuring that they are professional in their conduct during the elections.

 What is more, former President Obasanjo is known to have a penchant for interference in the governance of states. For example, for several years, he held back the allocation for the 20 constitutionally recognised local government councils in Lagos State because the state government created local council development areas.

 The state government was left with the option of funding the councils. Rather than hold back funds belonging to states, President Buhari has given money belonging to the Federal Government to the states as a bailout to enable them to pay salaries and carry out other activities of governance.

 Two governors were impeached under the Obasanjo government with less than half of the members of the state house of the assembly when the constitution requires two third majorities of elected members to impeach a governor. The Buhari government has allowed the states to run their affair, even when a governor elected by the people refused to allow elected members of the state assembly to take their oath of office and represent their people.

 Buhari has also not interfered with the penchant of state governors to issue draconian orders, especially during elections. The Executive Director of Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), Ezenwa Nwagwu, described that as the essence of a presidential system of government. He gave an example of the President’s continuous call on Nigerians to vote for candidates of their choice.

 He said: “The undeniable legacy of President Buhari would be the signing of the 2022 Electoral Act which, in a far-reaching sense raised the integrity quotient of our electoral process, especially with the introduction of technology. If the way the executive behaved is anything to go by, it has shifted the goalpost in a very significant way from where we used to have a president that would say it is a do-or-die affair. This President seems to consistently maintain the fact that he will not interfere and even when opposition parties win elections, he has been quick to congratulate them.

 “In very significant ways, we have not seen that kind of tension that we used to see in previous general elections. There seems to be some relative calmness; apart from cases in some states where the governors are misbehaving and it appears the President is not able to call them to order. That is the challenge of a presidential system of government. The governors are lords to themselves. There is nothing the President can do to them. He can only persuade or warn. I think this President has manifestly shown his disinterestedness in the eventual outcome of the election.”

The Buhari administration has also made the actualisation of the Second Niger Bridge project a major priority of his government. While not many new road contracts were awarded by the Buhari government, he made the completion of ongoing roads a priority of the government. Many have argued that the Buhari government paid more attention to the completion of ongoing projects than those before him.

 In addition, there has been a better and more robust legislature with a high degree of independence under the Buhari government than in previous administrations before him. Under the Obasanjo government, for example, the legislature, especially the Senate, had a high turnover of presiding officers. But between 2015 and 2023, the National Assembly has had only two sets of presiding officers, one per Assembly. A high number of bills passed have also been signed by the President.

 Nwagwu believes there is not much to compare between the two governments. He said: “Since 1999, those who have ruled this country have read from the same textbooks. They have not, in any sense, shifted from the market economy which all of them have sworn to. We have had different personalities implementing different programmes, completely taking the government’s responsibility and shifting it to the private sector when, indeed, you do not have a private sector.

 “So, in terms of the campaign, if you look at the manifestos of all the political parties except for one or two, you will see that there is no place where they said they are going to expel poverty. They all make the same promises, but in the last 40 years, there has been complete abandonment of government responsibility. So, I think the people should have been setting the agenda for 2023 by calling attention to the fact that while public hospitals are deteriorating daily, we are having more private hospitals coming up. While the government is not funding public universities and public schools, we are having more and more private universities and private secondary schools.

“If we set that agenda as a people, then, we will not allow politicians to give us glossy manifestoes. So, if you are asking me about the campaign, I think we are going through a hollow ritual.”

Two offices of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ede, the country home of Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke have been razed by suspected hoodlums. 

It was gathered the hoodlums were protesting the verdict of the Osun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which upturned the victory of Adeleke. 

The Nation gathered that the APC office in the Ede-South was razed while that of Ede North was destroyed by the hoodlums with APC members sustaining various degrees of injuries during the attack. 

A statement by the APC leaders in Ede, signed by chairman apex leader, Dr. Mufutao Oyewale alleged Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the State recruited a militia group to create unrest in the community by paralyzing economic activities to protest the Tribunal’s verdict. 

Read Also: Adeleke suspends activities on University of Ilesha

He said: “Along the streets of Ede in particular and the state in general, to see dangerous political thugs dangling and brandishing new cutlasses and guns all in the name of enjoyment of amity with the state government.

“We enjoined the Commissioner of Police and other sister security agencies in the state to come to the aid of the APC members and leaders in Ede who are being hunted  by the PDP thugs like animals in the bush.”

Also, another group of hoodlums attacked the Tinubu/Shettima’s campaign office in Ilesha on Monday morning. destroying property within the premises. 

Reacting, Osun acting PDP chairman, Dr Adekunle Akindele, denied the allegations. 

He said: “Osun PDP members only engage in peaceful protests all over the State. Our members did not attack anybody. Osun APC is raising false alarm simply because it was in trouble over its attempt to steal a popular mandate through the backdoor.”

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate Sabi Abdullahi on Monday said there is no crisis between President Muhammadu Buhari and the presidential standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as being insinuated in some quarters.

He described Tinubu as the only candidate that can sustain Buhari’s developmental legacies.

Abdullahi spoke while answering questions from reporters after commissioning the newly rehabilitated Borgu Township Stadium facilitated by him as part of his constituency projects.

He also said that all hope is not lost for Local Government Financial and Administrative Autonomy as being erroneously believed in some quarters.

Read Also: Tinubu will win with a wide margin, Akeredolu assures

Abdullahi, who is the National Coordinator of Project 774, said the APC Support Group, is working day and night “in all corners of this country to galvanise support just as our presidential campaign council are going from state to campaign asking Nigerians to be supportive and their word is their bound.”

On insinuation that Tinubu’s outburst against the ongoing naira redesign and fuel scarcity was an attack on Buhari, Abdullahi said: “All I want to tell you is that we are working very hard to deliver our party, our party is intact. Because of the good work our father (Buhari) has been doing. 

“He (Buhari) is aware and very patriotic so he needs his legacy to be sustained and that is why he said he is a democrat, he is going to allow the democratic process to take place.

“That is leadership and that is how our presidential candidate emerged. As we are going to the national election, we believe as the President of this country his duty is to make sure that there is a credible election. 

“We are asking for a credible election and we are going to anchor our victory on a credible election and that is why we are working very hard.”

Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has assured voters in the State that presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu would win next month’s general election with a wide margin.

Akeredolu, who intensified his grassroots campaign for the election of Tinubu, urged the people to vote
somebody who is capable and competent to the fix the country.

The Governor spoke at a well attended campaign rally in Ondo Central Senatorial rally held in Ondo town.

He said the large turnouts at the party’s campaign should translate to votes.

Akeredolu also canvassed for votes for all other candidates of the party both for the National and State Assemblies.

Read Also: VIDEO: Moment Tinubu arrives Akwa Ibom for campaign

He presented party flags to the candidates of the party.

Over 350 members of the Peoples Democratic Party defected to the APC at the rally.

Ondo APC chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, who received the defectors, said the party leaders would soon began Ward to ward, unit to unit, house to house and  door to door campaigns to record landslide victory for the party at the general elections.

He urged the Ondo residents to arm themselves with their PVCs to exercise their franchise during the election.

The rally was attended by the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; members of the State Executive Council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu amongst other leaders.

Former Niger Delta freedom fighter Mujahid Asari-Dokubo has predicted landslide victory for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Asari-Dokubo appealed to the Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State and Ijaw people to vote for the former Lagos Governor insisting that he possesses excellent credentials to secure the Niger Delta.

The freedom fighter spoke in a ceremony he organised at the weekend to mark the 48th birthday of the founder of Belema Oil and billionaire businessman, Tein Jack- Rich in Harry’s Town Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

He said the chiefs in all  Kalabari villages had used the occasion to declare that they  would support Jack- Rich’s work in the Tinubu campaign and vote for Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.  

He said: “Tein Jack-Rich is representing the interest of our people. He occupies a significant and prominent position in the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu campaign structure. We are celebrating him and giving him our full support on his 48th birthday.  

“The whole Kalabari gathered, all the chiefs from Kalabiri villages gathered and all have endorsed him to represent and speak for them. They have said come the Presidential election they are going to support Tinubu to become the next President of Nigeria.”

He insisted that by all indications Tinubu would cruise him to victory following his tested and trusted administrative capacity. 

Read Also: Endorsements galore for Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu

He said the Kalabari Kingdom and the Ijaw had already been designated to play important roles in Tinubu’s administration  with Jack- Rich already holding a significant position in the Tinubu-Shettima campaign council.

He explained that Tinubu remained the closest corridor for the Kalabari Kingdom to benefit in the next federal government.

Asari- Dokubo, who spoke in Kalabari-Ijaw dialect and English, urged the people of the Kingdom to support Jack- Rick in his assignment as the Chairman, Finance Committee of the APC presidential campaign council.

He said among the candidates only Tinubu could protect the Kalabari, the land and people and develop the kingdom.

He said: “If Asiwaju Bola Tinubu wins, Kalabari will be on top with Tein Jack- Rich. Tein- Jack- Rick needs us. The direction he points to us politically is where we should follow, because if we don’t follow, we will cry and cry again.

“Are we going to cry and cry again? Kalabiri this is the time. We are political.  In the presidential election, we are going to vote for the one that our people are very strategic and close to. 

“I can walk into the bedroom of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Trust me, you know me. I have paid my dues. Bola Tinubu is the person that can secure Kalabari people, if you throw your votes away, don’t blame anybody”.

Asari-Dokubo, who x-rayed the backgrounds of Tinubu said other contestants,  who were former governors and former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar lacked the records of achievements of the APC candidate.

He said: “Go to Lagos, two front liners contesting with him are former governors, except Atiku, who was Vice- President. Let us compare their records and see how they performed. What Ahmed Tinubu did in Lagos, he would replicate it in Nigeria. Tinubu will win very clearly”.

The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has intercepted some members of an organised syndicate involved in the sale of the newly redesigned naira notes. 

Spokesman of the agency, Dr Peter Afunanya, in a statement on Monday, said the Service established that some commercial bank officials are aiding the economic malfeasance.  

Read Also: NNPCL, DSS get 14 days to end fuel scarcity

Afunanya said: “Consequently, the Service warns the currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act. Appropriate regulatory authorities are, in this same vein, urged to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to expeditiously address emerging trends. 

“It should be noted that the Service has ordered its Commands and Formations to further ensure that all persons and groups engaged in the illegal sale of the notes are identified. Therefore, anyone with useful information relating to this is encouraged to pass the same to the relevant authorities.”